Thursday, August 30, 2007

An important step in preparing to dig the orchestra pit was to make some modifications to the proscenium arch columns. In the photos below you can see the creation of a "collar" at the bottom of the column, which ties to chemically solidified soil below.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Before digging out the new orchestra pit, the contractor made some preparations. In the top photo, chemical grouting equipment can be seen in the background, injecting a compound into the soil under the theater walls to solidify it. In the bottom photo, the steel plates in the foreground conceal a new sump pump installed to keep the excavation area (and the orchestra pit when completed) dry.

The new season of Sarasota Youth Opera is approaching. Placement classes for the fall term will take place Thursday and Friday, August 23 and 24. Students interested in being in the program need to attend both classes which are held from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m. in the Deane Allyn Pavilion building of the Sarasota Opera House.

The program admits all who apply, regardless of skill level and provides vocal and acting training. No one is turned away. Tuition for the program is $125 per term. Partial payments can be arranged and there are a limited number of scholarships available. The Fall Term runs through late December. The Spring Term begins in early January and ends in mid May.

Highlights of the 2007-2008 season will include concerts in the fall and the American premiere of Dean Burry’s The Hobbit on May 9 and May 10.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

In these photos, you can see the lobby at its most open and in the first steps of rebuilding. expanded footings were poured for the columns, and then steel reinforcements were added, thickening the columns.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

For a short video segment on the renovation by ABC 7 News, including comments from Project Architecht Killis Almond and Project Manager David Otterness, follow this link. The video link is at the bottom of the page and requires a free download of Flash Player. The segment aired last night at 5:30 pm on ABC 7.

Also, check out some of the websites of the great firms working on the Opera House renovation: